Florence - (G.B.)/(B.A.)

Chapter 05

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Andrews

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Florence sat beside Priscilla during class as the two girls discussed what they should base their project on. It was supposed to be a quiet work period, but nobody was really abiding by that rule except for a selected few because Mr Phillips was away ⸺ working in his office which was beside the building. While some students were discussing their hair and outfits and others were plain goofing off around the room ⸺ Priscilla and Florence were genuinely attentive towards their project.

"I was thinking, how about we present about the district of Saskatchewan?" Prissy suggested and Florence thought about the idea for a moment, making a mental picture as to what that would like.

"Not a bad idea," she added, "But how about we incorporate the capital city ⸺ Regina ⸺ as well? We can spend a day in town and ask around about anyone who is familiar with the place, their lifestyle, climate, and such?"

"Oh, yes! I actually like that⸺" Prissy was interrupted by her younger brother, Billy Andrews, as he made a rather crude and loud remark about how he didn't expect to find his sister conversing with some stupid orphan. This had caught the undivided attention of Florence, who stood up at once, and Prissy was afraid of what would go down between the two. She knew that her friend wasn't afraid to speak her mind when the time came, but she also knew that her brother wasn't the nicest person in the bunch. It would be like two knights colliding to the death.

"Could you repeat that, please?" Florence questioned with such a steely tone that it contradicted her composure.

Billy turned around with a smirk. "Why? Are you hard of hearing?"

"Billy . . ." Prissy glared at her brother, standing up as well but he duly ignored her.

"Why should I be the one to quiet down? She's the one who needs to remember her stance among us men."

"A man, is that what you are?" Florence's voice remained steady as the boys around the Andrews boy had begun to murmur incoherently. She sighed, tapping her hands against her wooden desk. She met the boy's furious gaze once again and commented, "Boy, you could've fooled me."

"You stupid⸺"

"Hmm . . . speaking about me from behind my back? That's quite rich coming from someone named Billy."

Billy Andrews gritted his teeth and he could feel the heat rushing up his neck. Before he could retaliate, however, the classroom door opened widely and Mr Phillips walked through the door. Everyone's eyes shot up to the door and fell silent immediately at the sight of the intimidating man. After what happened to Anne earlier that day, the last thing they wanted was to be another one of the victims of his cruel punishments.

"Why are all of you standing?" the teacher shouted nonetheless and the kids were quick to take their respective seats. He made his way over to the blackboard and examined each of the students carefully, his gaze landing on Florence for the fraction of a second longer. "Silent reading for the remainder of the day, come on."

***

School ended for the day not too long after. Florence was on her way back home, her gaze to the ground as she examined the autumn leaves when a dark shadow appeared before her. She looked up to see none other than Billy Andrews, and he was blocking her path. She stepped around him and he raised his eyebrows, blocking her path again. She moved around again but he followed her, causing Florence to let out an exhausted sigh.